Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies Inaugural Web Site. January 20, 2009; Printed from inaugural.senate.gov.

President Thomas Jefferson, 1801

Vice President Aaron Burr
Inauguration Date Wednesday, March 4, 1801
Location Senate chamber, U.S. Capitol
Oath Administered By: John Marshall, Chief Justice
Bible Used: Unknown
Length of Inaugural Address:

1,721 words
Attire (what the president wore): A reporter noted, "His dress was, as usual, that of a plain citizen without any distinctive badge of office."
Weather: Mild and beautiful. Estimated noon temperature of 55°F.
Precedents, "firsts" or other interesting information:
  • Jefferson's was the first Inauguration held in Washington, D.C. He broke precedent by walking to and from his swearing-in ceremony, rather than riding in a carriage as his predecessors did.
  • For the first time, a newspaper (the National Intelligencer) printed the Inaugural address the morning of the Inauguration.
  • The Marine Band played at the Inauguration for the first time. (It has played at every Inauguration since.)

Library of Congress

Thomas Jefferson, 1801